Pope Francis Publishes Gaudete et Exsultate

Bradley DiTeresi

Bradley DiTeresi is a financial professional based in Kansas. A devout Catholic, Bradley DiTeresi enjoys reading the works of noteworthy Catholics including St. Francis de Sales, St. Augustine, and Catherine of Siena. He has also enjoyed reading the writings of Pope Francis.

In early April, Pope Francis released his latest document entitled Gaudete et Exsultate, or Rejoice and Be Glad. The document outlines ways for ordinary Catholics to pursue holiness in their daily lives. It specifically exhorts Catholics to view all people as made in God’s image, including the homeless, poor, destitute, abandoned, and vulnerable.

Theologians speculate that the document is partially a response to criticism from conservative cardinals. Rather than emphasizing the traditional interpretation of rules, Pope Francis tells Catholics to pursue true holiness by engaging one another, participating in community, and truly caring for people who are suffering.

In the document, Pope Francis specifically speaks against ancient heresies like Gnosticism and Pelagianism which emphasize adherence to rules and specific behavior while minimizing grace. These systems of belief were condemned by the church during its early days. However, Pope Francis suggests that modern responses to suffering are manifestations of some of these ancient belief systems.